Chapter five: First Game

"Are you sure I should be doing this?" Artemis asked Collette.

"Of course, Arty," Collette said, dusting off Artemis' rugby uniform. Both Artemis and Collette knew that he looked terrible in it.

"But I have other things. More important things. The banks are just waiting for me to rob them."

"And your teammates are waiting for you to win the game. Don't worry. I'll be watching from the stands."

"That's what I'm afraid of," Artemis muttered.

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

"Okay. Get out there." She winked. "The game is starting."

Artemis turned to join the rest of his team and saw Eleni, Collette's not-so-identical twin sister, leaning against the stands. "Hello," he said, approaching her.

"Oh, uh, hi," Eleni said, surprised. Her curly hair was up in a messy pony-tail.

Artemis glanced around nervously. Then he said in a quiet voice, "is your sister always like that?"

"What?" Eleni smiled, showing her braces. "Is she bugging you?"

"No, she's encouraging and thoughtful."

"Oh. No, she's not like that. Usually she's a mean, selfish, spoiled brat. If you don't mind me saying."

A tiny grin appeared at the corner of Artemis' mouth. "Is she really?"

"Oh yeah." Eleni was not smiling. "God, you will never believe how many times I wish my parents put me up for adoption."

"I…see," Artemis said. "Well, goodbye. The game will start shortly."

…………………….

The game was almost over, the score being eight to eighteen, Saint Bartleby's losing. Coach Johnson was standing by the side of the field, a dark expression behind his pale moustache.

Artemis was beside his teammates sweating furiously, not quite keeping up. He still didn't know why he had listened to Collette in the first place.

"C'mon, Artemis!" Collette shouted from the stands.

That didn't cheer him up at all. It only reminded him that he was failing before someone who believed in him. Or did she…

His thoughts were interrupted by a ball hitting him on his cheek. Then it fell neatly into his hands. He threw the ball to someone else behind him and felt his face. The side that was hit was almost numb. Again, his thoughts were interrupted by the sudden cheering of the crowd. Saint Barltby's had scored!

Ten minutes later, part of the crowd "aww"ed while part of the crowed cheered. The opposite team had scored. And scored again.

The game ended, eleven to twenty. Saint Bartleby's lost. Collette stormed up to Artemis. "Why didn't you win?" she demanded.

"That's just the way it is," Artemis said simply.

"You didn't practice hard enough, that's what it is! Why?"

Artemis sighed. "Collette."

Collette crossed her arms and eyed the pale boy. "What?"

"I…" Artemis left Collette glaring daggers at him. If looks could kill, Artemis would have died instantly.

Eleni caught up to him. "You see what I mean? That's what I have to live with everyday of my life."

"Yes, I see. Someday's I wish I had never run out of toothpaste."

"What?"

Artemis brushed it off. "Never mind." And left.